i smiled so widely as i wrote this week’s edition. i’m lucky enough to have four nieces, thanks to my two older siblings. i’m convinced genetics were completely on our side too, for our girls are some of the most gorgeous faces to ever appear on this planet. my brother, who is one of the world’s best fathers, and his wife have sydni kate and zoey grace, who turned four this summer.

eleven days before the twins were given to us in 2005, my phenomenal sister & her hubby had kaitlyn belle – and this may, i drove her to the hospital to have sweet ari jade.

so much potential and endless joy is found in their tiny faces. anything can happen for them. they’re brave and they’re adventurous and they’re kind. among many others, here are 30 things i want for my nieces.

to fully grasp the height & width & depth of the Father’s love

the opportunity to travel

an absence of bullying during their most tender years, from those with hardened & destructive hearts

to pursue passionately what they’re called to do

to learn to drive a stick shift

an ethic of hard work

to grow into influential leaders

simplicity

a love for reading

for nothing to be simply handed to them, but instead to hunger so much for something that they make it happen

a holy burden

to remember & preserve their heritage

a man who is compassionate & good-hearted – if they choose to have one :)

responsibility with money & a desire to act with good stewardship

an awareness that they can always go home

to release perfectionism, worry, & negativity

to recognize their own beauty & that of others

a willingness to risk

laughter

to parent their children as lovingly & brilliantly as their own parents have

to surround themselves with diverse people whom they can love & learn from

the ability to forgive themselves

to learn & thirst for knowledge

hope

a mentor

to forgive others who hurt them

to appreciate all of life’s little pleasures

to learn how to mourn with those who mourn, & rejoice with those who rejoice

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For the Moment.

reading:redeeming love // francine hugheslistening:matches // wade bowenstudying: 1 corinthianscooking: looks like my kitchen creations are being put on hold until i return from abroad in august. :Dgoing: i'm in québec, y'all!serving: with a missions team from tennessee, at a sports day camp in maniwaki, qc. looking forward to a wonderful week!